What are the health risks of a 7 y/o barely eating any of his lunch and then pigging out at dinner?

Question

My son is tall for his age, but very skinny. He's always been skinny, but he hasn't grown a size in almost a year. He actually got skinnier over the summer.

It took me almost all summer, but I finally figured out that he was barely eating anything for lunch at his YMCA summer daycare (and bringing home the snacks they gave him). Now that I know, I find he's not eating hardly anything for lunch at school either. He comes home and eats just as much as I do at dinner time. At first, I just thought it was because he's very hyper, but I'm sure it's because he's starved himself over the day.

I know what's going on. He's too bust talking and playing with the other kids to eat. My friend suggested that I talk to the school and ask him if he can sit alone so he can concentrate on his food instead of other kids. I like that idea. (I've tried other means and they didn't work).

Sorry, I think I just vented.

Anyway, what are the short term and long term health risks? Am I making a big deal of it? (Keep in mind that food costs $ and perfectly good meals shouldn't be thrown in the trash).

Answer 1

First place to start - talk to your son and explain to him that his body is like the car - it needs fuel and it uses it all day long. That is why people eat at least three times a day: to keep that fuel available to the body so he can play with his friends, keep healthy etc

Unfortunately, there is lots of food in the garbage at any public school due to uneaten lunches. And kids are notorious for being ravenous when they get home from school.

I raised 3 and never broke through this one. It starts with the distractions, then peer pressure and habit seem to take over. The kids would eat lunch  at home but never anything that was packed. Cafeteria food would be eaten but was never healthy choices.

the kids are now well into 20s and none of them are unhealthy and are of average height and weight... so I guess all worked out in the end.

Answer 2

Ask his pediatrician for advice. When I was about five or six I went through the same thing. I could go a whole day without eating and my mom consulted my doctor for advice. My doctor told her to just keep an eye on me and that a young child will not starve themself, they will eat when they get hungry enough.

Answer 3

well he got have peeing problems

Answer 4

is he supposed to eat "school food" or are you packing him a lunch?  if he's supposed to eat the school food, maybe he just doesn't like it. a lot of kids don't.

i'd let him pick out some things to take for lunch. let him help you make it.

Answer 5

Let him fix his own meals and look at the total calories.  You sound a little obsessive, Mom.  Is he healthy?  If you're really worried get a check up.  DO NOT let him "pig out".  That's how weight issues start.  (Also, you are making too much of a big deal out of it).